There is this peculiar burning sensation that seems to be radiating from your stomach, all the way to your chest. It makes you feel like your heart is on fire. This burning sensation is nothing but acid reflux in your stomach that is making you feel so uncomfortable. If you are one of those who suffers from it regularly, or even once in a while, this article can help you deal with it.
Know more about this condition and how you can treat it with home remedies in the following sections. Keep the tips and remedies in mind for the next time your stomach seems to be burning everything, right from your throat to your guts.
What Causes Stomach Burning?
Our stomach contains acids that digest the food and liquids we consume. The entry of food to the stomach is controlled by a valve (lower esophageal sphincter). This valve does not allow food to re-enter the esophagus or the acids from the stomach to flow into the food pipe. Acid reflux occurs when this sphincter does not close properly, and the stomach acids enter the esophagus, causing a burning sensation along with other symptoms. It can be caused due to a variety of reasons. Common ones include:
- Overeating
- Obesity
- Increased consumption of fatty foods
- Caffeine
- Alcohol based drinks
- Smoking
- Lying down after meals
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
Scientifically, acid reflux is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Many people think that burning stomach is only caused by high stomach acid, but it can also be caused by too low stomach acid.
We have listed the common symptoms below.
Symptoms Of Burning Stomach
- Burning sensation in stomach, chest (heartburn), esophagus, and/or throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Gas
- Burping
- Bloating
- Sore throat
- Cough or wheezing
- Hiccups
- Difficulty in swallowing (1, 2)
Certain medications may soothe the discomfort, but they can have negative side effects. It is better to try some natural remedies to find what works best to treat your condition. And, for that, all you need to do is reach out for simple things found in your kitchen. The answer to heartburn and acid indigestion lies in being able to restore your natural gastric balance and function. Some remedies you can use to overcome the burning sensation in your stomach are given below.
Ways To Stop The Burning Sensation In Your Stomach At Home
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
You Will Need
- 2-3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
Mix the vinegar in water and drink this mixture.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this whenever you experience acid reflux. If it doesn’t subside after you have a glass of this water, repeat after a few hours.
Why This Works
It might be surprising, but when the stomach acids are burning your esophagus, ingesting more acid can actually calm it down. It regulates the acid production in the stomach and brings about balance (3).
2. Juice/Gel For Burning Stomach
(a) Lemon Juice
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- A glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
Add the lemon juice to water and have this on an empty stomach.
How Often You Should Do This
Have this in the morning to get rid of the acid reflux due to that heavy meal you had last night.
Why This Works
Lemon juice, when mixed with warm water, relieves the signs of acid reflux to a large extent. It helps in maintaining a proper balance of acids in the stomach and hence minimizes acid reflux (4).
Note
If you are prone to developing heartburn, use this remedy 10-15 minutes before you have your meals as a preventive measure for acid reflux.
(b) Aloe Vera Gel
You Will Need
1/2 cup aloe vera juice
What You Have To Do
Have the gel before a meal.
How Often You Should Do This
Consume as and when required to relieve heartburn and other symptoms.
Why This Works
Aloe vera gel contains anthraquinones that have a laxative effect. They not only increase the water content in your intestine but also stimulate water secretion and enable easier movement of stool (5).
3. Milk For Stomach Burning
You Will Need
A glass of cold milk
What You Have To Do
Drink this after your meal.
How Often You Should Do This
Have cold milk after your meals to avoid or soothe acidity problems.
Why This Works
Milk can help stabilize the gastric acids in the stomach and give you relief from acidity. It prevents the build-up of stomach acids with the multitude of nutrients it contains (6).
Caution
If you are lactose and casein sensitive, please avoid using this remedy
4. Milk Of Magnesia
You Will Need
Milk of magnesia liquid
What You Have To Do
Take as directed on the bottle.
How Often You Should Do This
Using this remedy once should give you relief from the burning sensation.
Why This Works
The magnesium in the milk of magnesia has an antacid effect on the stomach. Mild to acute versions of chronic acid reflux can be treated with this compound (7).
Caution
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using this remedy.
5. Mastic Gum For Burning Stomach
You Will Need
Mastic gum
What You Have To Do
Chew on this gum to relieve heartburn and stomach burning.
How Often You Should Do This
Whenever you experience acid reflux, just pop one of these gums into your mouth and chew on it.
Why This Works
Mastic gum is bacteriocidal for H.Pylori, bacteria that might be causing the burning sensation in your stomach (8).
6. Tea For Burning Stomach
You Will Need
- 1 green tea or licorice tea bag
- A cup of hot water
- Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Steep the green/licorice tea bag in hot water for a few minutes.
- Remove the bag and drink this tea.
How Often You Should Do This
Have a cup or two in the day to keep acid reflux at bay.
Why This Works
Herbal teas are known for their acid neutralizing effect. They calm the stomach and have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the burning sensation in the esophagus (9), (10).
7. Yogurt For Burning Stomach
You Will Need
1 cup plain yogurt
What You Have To Do
Have the yogurt, preferably chilled.
How Often You Should Do This
Have a cup when you experience a burning sensation in your stomach and chest.
Why This Works
Yogurt soothes the esophageal and stomach linings. It reduces the burning sensation and calms down the stomach due to lactobacillus cultures and synthesis of B vitamins (11).
8. Baking Soda For Burning Stomach
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
Dissolve the baking soda in water and drink it. You can add honey or lemon juice to enhance the taste.
How Often You Should Do This
This remedy should give you relief in a couple of minutes. Use it as and when required.
Why This Works
Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate, which is alkaline in nature and will help cure your heartburn as its pH is higher than 7.0. This neutralizes the stomach acids and gets rid of the burning sensation (12).
Caution
Avoid using this remedy for more than a week at a go as it is high in salt and can lead to swelling or nausea.
9. Banana/Apple/Papaya For Stomach Burning
You Will Need
1 cup papaya OR 1 banana OR 1 apple
What You Have To Do
Eat any of the available fruits to get relief from acid reflux.
How Often You Should Do This
You can use this remedy for quick relief and also as a preventive measure to avoid discomfort due to the burning sensation in the stomach.
Why This Works
Bananas are rich in natural antacids that act as a buffer against acid reflux. They are a rich source of potassium and help keep the level of acid production in your stomach under control. Certain elements in the fruit also help to increase the production of mucous in your stomach, which, in turn, protects it from the harmful effects of excessive acid production. As bananas are high in fiber, they help speed up digestion, thus minimizing incidences of acidity (13). You could also try having an apple a day or eat some papaya to get relief from acid reflux. Papayas and apples contain enzymes that are useful in the digestion process (14, 15).
10. Slippery Elm
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon slippery elm herb
- A cup of boiling water
What You Have To Do
- Steep the herb for a few minutes.
- Strain and drink this herbal tea.
Suck on a slippery elm lozenge if you cannot find the herb for the tea.
How Often You Should Do This
Have a cup or two prior to each meal.
Why This Works
Slippery elm is a wonderful herbal remedy to treat acid reflux as it lines and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. It contains antioxidants that can help calm inflammatory bowel symptoms. As it stimulates the nerve endings in your gastrointestinal tract, mucus secretion is enhanced, which protects your GI tract against ulcers and excess acidity (16).
11. Ginger
You Will Need
- 3 one-inch pieces of ginger
- 2 cups water
- Honey (to taste)
What You Have To Do
- Slice the ginger pieces and simmer them in water for about 30 minutes.
- Strain, add some honey and sip this soothing tea.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink 1-2 cups of ginger tea in the day.
Why This Works
Ginger root is an effective therapy that is helpful in easing a number of stomach problems – from nausea to acid reflux. It can help calm your stomach and also act as an acid buffer. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea effects (17).
12. Mustard
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
Gulp down the mustard with the help of the water.
How Often You Should Do This
Have this whenever you experience heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms.
Why This Works
Mustard is an alkaline food full of minerals, and it stimulates saliva excretion. It may be a bit difficult to consume raw mustard, but because of its alkaline attributes, it will help neutralize the acid has risen in your throat (18, 19).
13. Almonds
You Will Need
5-6 almonds
What You Have To Do
Have them after anything you eat, especially after meals.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this after every meal.
Why This Works
These nuts neutralize the juices in your stomach with their high calcium content, relieving and preventing instances of heartburn (20).
14. Basil
You Will Need
- 3-4 basil leaves
- 1 1/2 cups water
- Honey (to taste)
What You Have To Do
- Boil the basil leaves for about 10-15 minutes.
- Add honey, strain and drink this.
You can also simply wash the leaves and eat them. Be sure to chew them thoroughly.
How Often You Should Do This
Sip this tea 2-3 times in the day.
Why This Works
The therapeutic properties of basil leaves give instant relief from gas, acidity, and nausea. The tea has a cooling effect that helps reduce the overall pain and burning associated with acid reflux (21). Those suffering from acidity rather frequently need to keep dried and crushed basil leaves handy, which can be consumed with water for instant relief.
Some of these remedies give instant relief while some can take a couple of minutes to show their effects. Check your pantry for the ingredients you have available and use them as recommended above. In addition to the above home remedies to cure stomach burning, you should avoid certain food items that are known to trigger an acid reflux in many people. A list of these items is given below.
What Foods To Avoid To Prevent Burning Sensation In The Stomach
These food items are best avoided when you are experiencing a burning sensation in your stomach or if you are prone to developing acid reflux.
- Foods high in fat, such as French fries, hash browns, onion rings, potato chips, cottage cheese, sour cream, fried cuts of meat, lard, cream-based gravies, etc.
- High acidic fruits, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes
- Chocolate
- Garlic
- Onion
- Spicy food
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Soda and carbonated beverages
The list given above includes common triggers for burning sensation in the stomach that can be easily eliminated from your diet.
The burning sensation in the stomach and chest caused due to acid reflux is very uncomfortable. As we have seen, the reasons for this can be many – from eating spicy food to sleeping right away after a meal. Using home remedies instead of over the counter medicines that can cause side effects is always a better option. Give the remedies in this article a try, and see which one works the best for you.